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New: 10 of the best Apple and Android apps for higher education in 2013

[1]Two years ago we presented “10 of the best apps for higher education [2]” which highlighted some of the best apps for iPhones and iPods. However, with new upgrades in touch technology, and the emergence of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and education reform in general, we’ve come up with a new list of the best Apple- and Android-based education apps for 2013.

This year’s list includes some of the most highly rated apps, both by educators and by students, and features a range that spans from free language learning software to MOOC libraries, and from free social media management to award-winning study guides.

For every app we’ve listed, we’ve included a brief description, device compatibility, suggested use, features, price, and a link to a more in-depth summary with an option to purchase on iTunes or Google Play.

Don’t see an app you love on this list? Be sure to let us know—or leave a suggestion in the comment section.

(Apps are listed in alphabetical order.)

[3]

Name: Appointment Plus

What is it? Appointment-Plus lets users take their scheduling wherever they work–across the hall, across town, or around the world. Manage appointments for yourself or your entire staff, create, update and cancel appointments on the fly.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 2.2 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appointment-plus/id538020258?mt=8 [4]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appointmentplus.appointmentplus&hl=en [5]

  [6]

Name: Bonfyre

What is it? A private networking app that creates clubs, sports, and study groups, and improves student-to-teacher communication. Bonfyre helps provide an intimate, private level of connection between a student’s daily classroom activity and others.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 2.2 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bonfyre/id463042005?ls=1&mt=8 [7]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobileapp.bonfyre&hl=en [8]

[9]

Name: Duolingo

What is it? Learn a language completely free, without ads or hidden charges. Have fun while learning, leveling up and competing with friends. Provides the opportunity to translate real-world texts in the language you are learning, and in doing so, help Duolingo translate the web into other languages. PC Magazine Editors’ Choice for Language Learning.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-learn-spanish-french/id570060128?mt=8 [10]

[Android] Coming in May

[11]

Name: Flipboard

What is it? Flipboard is your personal magazine. When you first launch Flipboard, simply pick a few topics to start reading-everything from world news to sports, travel and more. You can also add popular publications, such as The New York Times or Vanity Fair. You can find thousands of websites, RSS feeds and interesting sources like Politico and Brain Pickings, or explore magazines being created on Flipboard in “By Our Readers.”

Best for: Requires Android 2.2 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flipboard-your-social-news/id358801284?mt=8 [12]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flipboard.app&hl=en [13]

[14]

Name: Google Drive

What is it? Get started with 5GB for free to safely keep all of your files, photos, and more in one place and then access it from any device, anywhere. Store documents, pictures, or other files-even the big ones-using Google Drive and easily share them with anyone

Best for: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 2.1 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-drive/id507874739?mt=8 [15]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs [16]

[17]

Name: iTeacherBook

What is it? This app lets professors and teachers plan and track their schedules as well as student courses and attendance. It can also create and send assignments for your students, grade student progress, create reports, and export and schedule events.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Price: $4.99

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iteacherbook/id459153342?mt=8 [18]

[19]

Name: Khan Academy

What is it? The Khan Academy app is the best way to view Khan Academy’s complete library of over 3,500 videos. Khan Academy covers a massive number of topics, including K-12 math, science topics such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and even the humanities with playlists on finance and history. Spend an afternoon brushing up on statistics. Discover how the Krebs cycle works. Learn about the fundamentals of computer science.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 2.2 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.khanacademy.videos&hl=en [20]

[21]

Name: Popplet Lite

What is it? Popplet Lite is a platform for your ideas. Popplet’s super simple interface allows you to move at the speed of your thoughts. With Popplet you can capture your ideas and sort them visually in real time.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.

Price: FREE for Lite version that includes 1 Popplet. The full version of Popplet at $4.99 lets you create an unlimited number of local Popplets.

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet-lite/id364738549?mt=8 [22]

[23]

Name: STUDYBLUE

What is it? Flip online flashcards for fast feedback on what you know, then re-study concepts you’ve not yet mastered using Study Filters.

Best for: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 1.6 and up.

Price: FREE; A free StudyBlue.com account is required to use this app; user can create one after installation.

Rated: 4+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/studyblue/id323887414?mt=8 [24]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.studyblue&hl=en [25]

[26]

Name: TED

What is it? The official TED app presents talks from some of the world’s most fascinating people: education radicals, tech geniuses, medical mavericks, business gurus, and music legends. Find more than 1,400 TEDTalk videos (with more added each week).

Best for: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5; Requires Android 2.1 and up.

Price: FREE

Rated: 9+

Features:

Links: [Apple] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ted/id376183339?mt=8 [27]

[Android] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ted.android&hl=en [28]